Electrical system.



R. VARLEY. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Y APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1914.

1,112,177. Patented Sept-29,1914.

TNiisszs I Q ,8: INVLESNJOR UNITED s Es PATENT our-Ion.

Brennan VARLEY, or nnsnnwoon, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRICAL 8mm.

Specification ofhetterslfatent. P e t d S t, 29 1914,,

Continuation of application Serial No. 826,236, iiledi hiiamh 21, 1914. This application filed July 1, 1914;

1 Serial No.-8 48,36.0.

To all whom-it mag/concern.-

Be it known that I, RIo Aim VARLEY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Englewoo-d, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, havein vented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Systems, of which the following is a full,-clear, and exact description, referonce being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. This invention relates to systems for producing electrical discharges from a source of energy. As such a device I provide means for causing a high tension effectively sustained discharge of current without employ- 'mentof large and heavy apparatus, and

which may find embodiment in" many systems', such as wireless telegraphy and ignition systems for exploding the chargesof intern'al'combustion engines.

The broad feature, herein disclosed, of

building up a supernormal state of flux for prolongedenergizing of a currentusing instrumentality is covered by Patent .No. 1,081,413, granted to me December 16th, 1913, and to divisional subject matter of 'whichthe present application is directed. In the accompanying drawings hereinafter described I have illustrated my invention as embodied in an ignition system for internal combustion engines but it will be premised that I do not desire to limit myself thereto, said embodiment behig only one of the many-uses of which my invention is capable. Y Y

The usual ignition systemlemployingi a coil or generator inductively. wound pro duces a high voltage spark of short duration, and loW heat, and therefore, poor ignitive value. This is due to the radical magneti'ping and demagnetizing effect. upon the core or armature of the inductive generator upon breaking of the primary circuit, and

resultant nonssustained magnetic flux action; the momentarily induced current in the secondary winding producing a correspondingly short ineffective spark, and while in the alter-1 nating current high tension magneto or .generator there s a. certain amqunt-ofcurrent an gmentatively, generatively impressed upon the secondary windingof the armature, by 1 reason. of itsrotation, after-the primary cirvently, disposed cuitzhas been interrupted, its amperage is so sllght that it is practically impotent. It 1s also commohly known that in the usual ignition system, self-induction and reactance in the interrupted primary winding,

also requires a condenser or other spa rk I arresting means connected across said contacts,- -for absorpt on of such extra or self-. induced current, ,as a protection to the contaots.

By my invention there may be readily formed a spark having the character substantially of arc-sustenance andhigh heat .value ascontra-distinguished from'the instantaneously gdelivered low heat spark above referred to, thereby producing aspark operatively alive for a greater period of time relatively to the travel of the piston, than heretoforehas been possible and thus making it eifective'upon thin .or weak gas mixtures and such charges as contain. oecluded dead or weak spots. Furthermore, I provide a system in which I may dispense with the condenser or'other spark arresting means. I

a -My invention comprises, broadly stated, the combination with a source of current, oftransfo-rmer means and mechanism for effecting the energizing of and for so con trolling the transformer with respect to the source .of current as to cause operative sustained energizing of a current usin' instrumentality, as prolonged bridging o aspark gap, in the manner'to be fully described.

Figure .1 1n the accompanying drawings "illustrates, in diagram invention as employed in connect on with an ignition systern, said diagram- Showing a'multi'polar '9 O hereinafter more or high frequency generator and a battery as the source or sources of energy; Fig. 2,is a dlagrammatic viewv of the transformer element but showing thef-iuvindf spdifierv as will be-here'ma ter more fully described.

. While Lshowa magneto generatorof the highdrequeney type,;the:,same being one ,of'

the many types of inductive or magneto generators for ignition service on autovehicles, I do not desire to limit my invention to the employment of any particular type of generator or means afl'ording a source of current, as my device is advantageously operable with different current generating devices or with a battery or accumulator, as the sourceof energy; 1 r

The alternating current generator, which is indicated by the numeral 2 in Fig. 1, (preferably being'of the standard type for a four cylinder four cycle engine) has its ignition energizing circuit or inductive winding grounded at one end, as at .3, while the other end is adapted to connect through switch mechanism 4 to winding of transformer mechanism 5, forming part of the spark producing apparatus shown. The transformer device comprises a core 6-which may be of any suitable shape or construction, and which carries on the-legs?- and 8 thereof windings 9 and 10 respectively both of which are arranged to be grounded, as

at--11, through the intermediary'of circuit controllin mechanism 12 which may comp se a ro le'rutiiner of the usual construcofsymmetricall L Y tacts 14': each 0 which connects w h said tion, having essentially a --revolub1e contact arm 13, geared or connected to'be driven in synchronism by the engine, and a plurality arranged segmental 6onwindings 9 and 10 0f the transfo er; it

a beingunderstood that for 'a four cylinder four cycle engine, the controller arm 13 will bfl' driven at one-half the speed of themgine'to commensurately establish the circuit 1 of the windings for the purpQSe hereinafter described. A so carrie upon the f legs 7 "ind 8' of the transformer core '6' are sec ondarywindings a and 6 preferably serially arranged,fione end connecting with the segments '14 ,of the controller 12 and the other "*"end "connecting with a rotating contact arm 27- of-rusual distribut ermechanism 28 of the- 'Yibratorfmechanism' 15 is provided for in-v v .terrupti'ng one or both of the primary windings ;,8 and 9 of the'transformer when the Wise completed through the controlling spark producing apparatus, the contacts 29 of which'distributer connect withthe usual sparkplugsBO ofan engine (not shown)- that are grounded through the cylinders of 15o I the engineas is" understood.

Angelectrically responsive interrupter or circuit or circuits of said windings are other- .iin'echanism 112. The arrangement is' such t1 the'ivibrator isjconnected in active cir- "ftli'e windings"9 and 10 of thetransmen 'uringfutilization of a' battery or us current,. .and; serves as an interreferablyi op'eratively responsive to 1 e mpeake or period of flow of the imam alternating current, for one of said primary windings (winding 10) when the transformer is connected in the generator circuit. 'A switch arm 4: of the double-arm switch 4'connects with one end of vibrator winding 16. The opposite end of said winding leads to a vibrator contact 17 and a contact" 18 of said switch. Normally in engagement with the vibrator contact 17 is a vibrator .blade or armature 19 which is in the circuit of the coil or winding 10 and connects with a switch contact 20. When the double arm switch is shifted to a contact 21 and the contact 18, the vibrator winding is connected to the generator through the switch arm 4. Movement of the roller timer arm 13 to a segmental contact 14 will complete the generator circuit through the primary windings 9 and 10 of the transformer. That is, current flow from the generator will be through switch arm 4 and vibrator winding, thence in parallel through switch contact 18 and a switch arm 4 of the switch and transformer winding 9, and

transformer core 6, which tends to seek the normal magnetic path of the core. The turns of windings of these coils 9 and 10 are unidirectionally wound with the result that the lines of force set up respectively by these two coils meet one another in opposition at an intermediate point in the core, causing them to take an abnormal path. The

abnormal path taken is preferably a megnetically reluctant one, as by employinga core, such as shown, in which the flux, upon saturation of thecore, takes a leakage path across an air gap or space intermediate the sides of the transformer. As the generator current rises to maximum value, the armature 19 of the vibrator is responsively attracted, through energizingof the winding 15, causing sudden opening of the circuit of the coil or winding 10. As stated above, the point of opening of the circuit may take place at or near the peak or maximum point oF-periodof flow of the current wave. Opening of the'circuit of the winding 10 causes a violent change of flux in the leg 8 and the divertedor repressed flux takes the less resistant or normalpath provided by the core, setting up a magnetic surge of great intensity, particularly through the leg 8. r

causes a rise in voltage in the winding,9.' As a result of said flux change and magnetic surge, the voltage is immediately generatively built .up to an intense degree in the secondary coils or windings a and b of thet-ransformer, breaking down or bridging the air gap between the electrodes ortermmals of the spark plug connected, by the distributer, in the circuit of the secondary windings. The spark thus formed is not a mere instantaneous flash or of brief duration, but it continues to burn substantially in the form of a flaming are maintained by a resident body of flux in the core, for the breaking down of the normal reluctance of the spark gap and inauguration of the spark or are in efi'ect causes a closing of the circuit containing the secondary coils or windings, with the result that there is established a mutual or reciprocal regulative relationship between thearc and secondary winding or How of flux Which tends to prevent immediate equalization of the flux or dema etization or dissipation of the energy of t e transformer; the

are assuming a rheostatic function and causing the windings a and b t0,,sub'stantially choke or restrain the large body of flux in such a manner as toprolong its activitywith respect to are or flame maintenance at plug. Furthermore, the winding 9- fcon-' tinues to suppl energy at a slight increase; in voltage, to t e core 6 and to generatively; impress a current, in the particular arrange ment shown, upon the secondary coil or winding a, assistive or additive to the normal current in the secondary winding set up or induced by the flux in the transformer core.

Instantaneous establishment of'the spark at the plug or other current using instrument and its maintained 2 utilization of energy causes the active seconda circuitv containing said instrument, to so a sorb the energy and control the flux action as to preventself-inductance of a sparking current in the circuit containing the contacts of the interrupter or vibrator mechanism. As a result, there is little or no tendency to sparking between the said contacts upon opening of the circuit of the winding 10. I am thus enabled toemploy ordinary material, such as copper, for the above parts, and to dispense with .the use of a condenser or other the ordinary systems to absorb the sparking resulting from interruption of a primary circuit. However, I do not desire to limit my invention to a system in which no condenser is employed, for a condenser may be necessary in some cases, as where abnormal conditions obtain in 'the circuits. I have, therefore, indicated sucha condenser 22 connected across the contacts of the vibrator mechanism in the usual manner.

.When the switch mechanism 4 is shifted to contact 20" anda contact 23, connections are made fhr ener 'zing the transformer rent, such 'as a battery, when the generator is not deliverin an efi'ective alternating 'current or whenit is desired to run'on battery ignition. Shifting of the switch as stated, to "position shown in-dotted lines, brings the vibrator mechanism 15 into cirthe transformer, and when the roller timer arm 13 connects with a segment 14 the battery current sets up amagnetic flux in the core 6 of the respective transformer, which is trembled or intermittently disturbed by the vibrator mechanism, thus inducing a high potential current in the secondary wind-- ings a and b for energizing of the spark plug or plugs 30; the battery being grounded as at 25, pin CiI'CllltfWith ground 11 of the roller timfcr contact arm 13.

. \Vhere my system is employed in connection with a-high frequency alternating current generator, such as indicated, the gage or size of the turns of the windings 9 and 10 of the transformer would be preferably such as to present no resistance impeditlve to efiective flow therethrough of the high frequency current. The result is that such windings would not present a desired resistance to the direct or continuous current of pating action on the battery, incident to said capacity effect of the windings, I may insert a resistance in the battery circuit.- Such a resistance is indicated by the numeral 26 and may beef any suitable character, the same being commonly connected to or arrange former windings 9 and 10, when the battery made and bein out of circuit with said windings whent e generator connections are rangement 4.

or current ,actuated interrupter mechanism.

from a' source of direct or continuous cur-.

cuit with the coils or windings 9 and 10 of.

made, through the double-arm switch ar-,

'spark arresting. means which is necessary in the battery. To overcome any such dissi-,

d in series parallel relationship with the'transcircuit connections, described above, are

I do not desire to limit myself to the particular circuit connections. of the vibrator It will also be apparent, without necessity my invention.

strumentality, such-as a spark plug, is ob 7 fore used.

by my ,above mentioned Letters Patent 1,081,413.;

4 I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Pat- ;-rent actuated interruptermechanism circuit with sa1d:co1l,' and a second coil 1n- .ings a and b as being mounted on the nnecting legs 31 and 32 of the transformer core 6 instead of being arranged on the legs 7 and 8 as in the case of the construction shown in Fig. 1, and other arrangements will suggest themselves. a} Nor do I desire to limit myself to the employment of any particular number of coils or to the. placing of said coils on separate or difable form of generator or source of current may be e 'ployed without departing from 7 The advantages of my invention will be found to reside in a system whereby prolonged energizing of a current using intained by the use of simple, small and compact mechanism and through the employment of either alternating or continuous current. My system operates to instantaneously break down the resistance of the spark gap with a current of high voltage and to follow the initial discharge with a current ofsustainedahigh heat value. In both cases, i. (3., either in the use of alternating current or continuous'or battery current, this arc-like-spark obtainsr said flame being. highly effective upon gas charges which, cannot be exploded 'by the usual momentarily deliveredspark or flash common to'the usual ignition systems. hereto- The broad idea of cafising -a leakage of the flux and restoring the fluxto normal, in the production of a current discharge, is

not'claimed herein, asthe same is covered.

The feature of connecting the windings in parallel with either an'alternating cur ren circuit or a iontinuous current circuit and interrupting alternately one or all of, a saidwindings, is not per seclaimed herein as the same forms sub ect matter of another application. ofmine, Serial No. 826,235.

* Having thus described my invention, what out is I k u 1.. A-source of energy, and a circuit therefor a coil inductively related thereto, cur

ductively related the first coil and having cuit of said coil, a vibrator in circuit with said coil, and a second coil inductively related to the first coil and having in circuit a current using instrumentality.

4. A source of energy and a circuit therefor, a coil inductively related thereto, means for periodically closing and opening the circuit of said coil, a vibrator 1n circuit with v, said coil and said means, and a second coil inductively related to the first coil and having in circuit a current using instrumentality. Y L

5. A source of current and a coil in circuit therewith, a second coil inductively related to the first coil and having in circuit,

acurrent using instrumentality, and means, including an independent circuit and current responsive interrupter mechanism, for building up from said source, energy in said first coil and for transferring said energy to the second coil to energize the current using instrumentality.

6. A source of energy, a secondary coil having a current using instrumentality in circuit therewith, a primary coil, and common means, including a current actuated controlling mechanism, for building up from said source, energy in said primary coil for transferring said energy to said secondary coil to cause an initial high tension discharge at or energizing of said current using instrumentality and for following the initial discharge by a) sustained current discharge.

7. A source of energy, a secondary coil havinga current usin instrumentality in circuit therewith, a primary coil, and commonmeans, including an independent-circuit and current actuated controlling mechanism for building up from said source energy in said primary coil, for transferring said energy to said secondary coil to cause an'initial high tension discharge at or energizing of said current using instrumentality arid for following the initial disc rge by a sustained current.

8 A source of current and a coil in circuit therewith, a second coil inductively related to the first coil and having in circuit a current using instrumentality, and means, including an independent circuit, circuitclosing apparatus and current responsive inusing,

terrupter mechanism, for building up from to energize the currentnsing instrumentality.

9. A source of energy, 'a secondar coil having a current using instrumentality in circuit therewith, a primary coil, and com- 'mon' means, including a circuit controlling device and current actuated interrupter mechanism, for building up from said source energy in said primary coil, for-transferring said energy to said secondary coil to cause an initial high tension discharge at or energizing of said current usinginstrumentality and for following the initial discharge by a sustained current discharge.

10. A source of energy, a secondary coil having in circuit a current using instrumentality, a primary coil, and common means.

in cluding an independent circuit, "circuit controlling apparatus and current actuated interrupter mechanism, for building up from. said source energy in said primary coil, for transferring said energy to said secondary coil to cause an initial hightension discharge at or energizing of said current using instrumentality and for follow: ing the initial discharge by a sustained current discharge.

11. A source of energy and a coil con-- nected thereto, a plurality of coils, related to said first coil, and means, comprising a core and vibrator mechanism, for building up fromsaid source energy in one of said coils and for transferring said energy to another of said coils and at the same time supplyingenergy from said source.

12. A source of electrical energy and. a

plurality of coilsiinductivelyrelated to one another, secondary winding subject to' inductive influence of said coils and having in circuit a current using instrumentality, and means, including current actuated make and break mechanism for building up from said source energy in said coils and for transferring said energy. to the secondary winding to energize the current using instrumentality;

. 13. A source of electrical ener and a plurality of coils, secondary winding subject to inductive influence of said coils and having in circuit a current usinginstrumentality, and means, including vibrator mechanism, for building up from said source energy in said energy to thezsecondary winding to. cause an initialhigh' tension discharge at or energizin of the current using instrumentality an for followin said initial discharge'witha sustained ow of current.

' 14. A transformer provided with a plurality of windings, one of which-is for connection. with a source'ofelectrical energy, a

' closing and opening the circuit of closing and op comprising circuit current responsive interrupter mechanism.

the said coil and for transferring circuit comprising a second one of said windings, and means for intermittently closin and opening the circuit of a third one 0 said windings and comprising current actuated make and break mechanism.

15. A transformer provided'with a plurality of windings, one of which is for connection with a source of electrical energy, a circuit comprising a second one of said windings, and means forintermittently closing and opening the circuit of a third one of said windings and comprising circuitclosing apparatus and interrupter mechanism.

16. A transformer provided with a plurality of windings, one of which is for con-' nection with a source of electrical energy, a circuit comprising a second one of said windings, and means for intermittently closing and opening. the circuit of a third one of said windings and comprising circuit closing apparatus and current-responsive interrupter'mechanism. 1

17 A transformer provided with a plurality of windings, .one of which is for connection with a source of electrical energy, a circuit comprising a second one of said windings, and means for intermittently.

closing and opening'the circuit of the first one and a third one of said windings and comprising vibrator mechanism. 18. A transformer-provided with a plurality of windings, one of which is for connection with a source of electrical energy, a circuit comprising a second one of said windings, and means for intermittently the first one and a third one of said windings and comprising circuit closing apparatus and mterrupter mechanism.

'19. A, transformer rovided with a plurality of ,windings, one of which is for connection with a source of electrical energy, a circuit comprising a second, oneof said windings, and means for intermittently ening the circuit of the first one and a th1rd one of said windings and closing apparatus and 20. A plurality of windings, circuit controlling means for connecting said wmdmgs with a source of energy, secondary winding inductively related to said windings and ion second controlling means for said plurality ofwindin s. p ,7

21. A p uralitv of windings, circult controlling means, for connecting said wmdings with a source of energy,

inductively related to sald other winding,

and current responsive interrupter mechanism for the circuitsof said plurality of windings.

29". A sourceof energy,

aplurality of'prisecondary winding mary windings inductively related to one another and connected in parallel with said source, secondary winding inductively related to bringing lated to 'said primary windings, and cur rent responsive interrupter mechanism in circuit with one of said primary windings.

23. A source of energy, 'a plurality of primary windings inductively related to one another and connected in parallel with said source, secondary winding inductively related to said primary windings, and current responsive interrupter mechanism in circuit with said primary windings.

24. A source of energy, a'plurality ofiprimary windings inductively related to one another and connected in parallel with said I source, a plurality of secondary windings,

and current responsive interrupter mechanism in circuit with said primary windings.

25. A source of energy, a plurality of primary windings, means for causing current to intermittently flow in parallel through said windings from said source, secondary winding inductively related to said primary windings, and make and breakmechanism in circuit with one of said primarywindings and said means. I

26. A source of energy,

a plurality of primary windings,

means for causing current to intermittently flow in parallel through said windings from said source, secondary winding inductively related to said primary windings, and vibrator mechanism in circuit with one of said primary windings and said means.

27. A source of energy, a plurality of primary windings, meansfor causing current-to flow in parallel through said windings from said source, secondary winding inductively related to said primary windings, and vibrator mechanism in circuit with said primary windings and said means. 1

28. A source of energy, a plurality of primary windings inductively related to one another, secondary winding inductively resaid primary windings, means for coils, and current responsive make and break mechanismin circuit with one of said coils and said source.-

30. A source of energy,

a transiormer core, a plurality. of coils ada pted for connection with said source and so arranged with -re-- said primary windings in circuit and a current responsive.

4 energy,

spect to the core as to set up in the latter opposing linesof magnetic flux, secondary wirliding inductively related to one of said cm s of said coils intermittently. into circuit with said source, and interrupter mechanism for bringing said coil out of circuit with said source.

31. A source of energy, a transformer core, a plurality of coils adapted for connection with said source and so arranged on the core as to set. up a magnetic flux therein, secondary winding inductively related to one of said coils, means for connecting said coils with the source of energy to set up a magnetic flux having opposing lines of force, and current responsive interrupter mechanism for bringing oneof said coils out of circuit with said source.

32. A source of energy, a transformer core, a plurality of coils adapted for connection with said source and so arranged with respect to the core as to set up in the latter opposing lines of magnetic flux, secondary winding inductively related to said core, circircuit closing means for bringing one cuit connections for bringing said coils into I circuit with the source of energy, and current responsive make'and break mechanism in circuit with said coils.

33. A transformer core, means for setting up therein a magnetic flux and causing said flux to'takea leakage path and comprising a'plurality of windings adapted for connection with a source of energy, secondary winding inductively related to said core, and

current responsive interrupter mechanism in the circuit of one of said first named windmgs. 34. A transformer core having a closed magnetic circuit, a plurality of primary windings on said' core and adapted for connection with a source of energy, secondary winding inductively related to one of said primary'windings, and current actuable interrupter-mechanism in circuit with one of said primary windings.

35. A transformer core having a closed magnetic circuit, a plurality of primary windings on said core, means for connecting said windings in parallel with a source of secondary winding" inductivelyrelated to said primary windings, and vibrator mechanism associated windings. 36. A plurality winding inductively related-thereto, a source of current, means for intermittently bringing one of said lurality of windings into circuit with s'ai source, and current responsive controlling means in circuit with another of said-plurality of windings and said source.

' 37 A'plurality of secondary of windings, secondary with said primary W winding inductively related thereto, a source of current, interrupter, mechanism havin winding, means for bringing one of sai pluralit of windings into circuit with said interrupter and another of said plurality of windings into circuit with winding of said interrupter mechanism.

38.' A plurality of windings, secondary winding inductivelyrelated thereto, a source of current, current responsive interrupter mechanism having winding in energizing circuit with said source and one of said plurality of windings, and means for bring-f ing said interrupter into circuit with another of said plurality of windings 39. A plurality, of primary windings, current responsive make and break mechanism, means for connectlng all of said wlndlngs to a source of alternating current and one of.

said windings in circuit with said-make and break mechanism and for brmgmg sa1d windings out of alternating current circuit tion of said primary winding and having energizing w1nding,,and means for intermittently bringing said'energizing winding into circuit with said source and another portion of said primary winding.

42. A source of alternatlng current, a source of continuous current, primary winding, secondary winding inductively related thereto, interrupter mechanism having energizing windingand means for intermittently connecting said energizing winding in circuit'with a portion of said primary winding and the source of alternating current and for connecting -said vibrator ener- -gizmg wmdlng 1n connection with all of said primary winding and the source of continuous current.

43. A transformer core, a plurality of coils arranged thereon, secondary winding inductively related thereto, current responsive make and break mechanism, and means for connecting all of said coils in parallel with a sourceof alternating current and one of said coils in circuit with the make and break mechanismv .and for bringing said windings out of alternating current connection and into energizing relationship with a source of continuous current and into circuit with said make and break mechanism. I

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand.

RICHARD VARLEY.

Witnesses M. A. KELLER, HmzaryiWooo. 

